open carry

The Question Every CCW-er Has but is Afraid to Ask: What do You do with Your Pistol While Going Number Two?

It is a frequent question that new concealed (and open) carriers often have. However, it is rarely asked and, if when it is, it can sometimes involve a bit of gazing at one’s own feet or bashful sidelong glances during what can be an awkward conversation. The fact remains, nonetheless, that going to the restroom is a natural human function and many are left wondering what to do with their carry gun when nature calls – particularly in a public restroom environment. Luckily for you, Team GunLink is not afraid to have the awkward conversations that you don’t want to have and pass along that information.

Answering that call can pose a number of issues. Depending on the style of carry, managing the firearm in the ol’ WC can range from easy to uncomfortable to dangerous. It is naturally a vulnerable situation, particularly in public facilities which might allow the possibility of literally being caught with one’s pants down – so it ought to remain handy. Some holsters, particularly OWB holsters, can allow the firearm to flop out, visible to any neighbors (especially if your neighbor is Larry Craig). Others, especially pocket guns can jab you or otherwise point where you don’t want them to. So, what do you do with your firearm while relieving yourself?

Well, first off, we can tell you what not to do: leave your gun behind. The possibility of doing so is, in part, why we do not like the idea of unholstering your carry piece. The fact is that firearms do periodically get forgotten in the loo.

The Secret Service says only authorized law enforcement will be allowed to carry firearms at the Republican Party nominating convention, ignoring an online petition calling for convention attendees to also be permitted to carry them.

The petition, started anonymously last week on Change.org, has attracted the signatures of over 50,000 people who said they want the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, which is hosting the convention, to reverse its ban on weapons.

The Secret Service, which is responsible for security at the July event, said in a statement that only “authorized law enforcement partners…may carry a firearm inside of the protected site.”

“Individuals determined to be carrying firearms will not be allowed past a predetermined outer perimeter checkpoint, regardless of whether they possess a ticket to the event,” the statement added.

The three remaining Republican U.S. presidential candidates have each advocated allowing people to openly carry firearms. Both Texas Senator Ted Cruz and businessman Donald Trump have criticized so-called gun-free zones, especially schools, saying those policies make the sites less safe.

Many of those sharing the petition on Twitter are less interested in the issue for reasons of defending 2nd Amendment rights to firearms than pushing the Republican Party on its adherence to the issue.

Firearms were also banned at the previous Republican convention, which was held in Tampa in 2012.

There are already concerns that this year’s convention will be testier than usual, especially if no Republican presidential candidate has emerged as the party’s nominee.

Petition for Republican Convention: Let Them Carry Guns

Chris HannasVOA NewsMarch 27, 2016

The three remaining Republican U.S. presidential candidates have each advocated allowing people to openly carry firearms, and an online petition is challenging them to stand behind those policies and call for firearms to be allowed at the party’s nominating convention in July.

Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena is hosting the convention, but has a policy banning any weapons from the facility. It is allowed to do so under law in the state of Ohio, where people can otherwise openly carry guns.

Trump said in December he would abolish gun-free zones on his first day in office, while Cruz told supporters in December the zones only create places where an attacker knows people will be unarmed. Ohio Governor and presidential candidate John Kasich last year eliminated gun-free zones at the state’s National Guard facilities.

[Nearly 45,000] people have signed the Change.org petition that says the candidates should call on the Cleveland arena to suspend its no-gun policy, for the National Rifle Association to condemn it, and for Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Preibus to be ready to relocate the entire convention if guns are not allowed. Continue reading →

Why You Need a Good Gun Belt, and Why Your Current Belt Probably Isn’t It

One of the most important pieces of your CCW loadout might not be what some would expect. Finding a firearm that is reliable, accurate, easy to carry, and easy to use under stress is paramount. The number two spot on this list is often contested between a good holster and a good belt, the importance of which is difficult to understate. Speaking with someone who carries a firearm regularly, whether for work or for general self defense, will confirm that one of the most important pieces of your CCW loadout is a good belt.

A CCW holster has a lot of responsibilities, including being comfortable, effectively concealing the firearm, keeping the firearm in the right position and angle where you put it, and keeping the firearm securely holstered unless and until you intentionally draw it. But what keeps that holster where you put it and allows it to do its job? As important as the holster may be, the belt from which you hang it is just as vital. The important thing to realize is that the belt and the holster work together to comprise the overall carry system that you use.

Like many people who carry, Team GunLink has amassed a box-o-holsters through the trial and error process of finding the couple of holsters that work well and see regular use. No matter how good those holsters are, without a good belt, they will have issues. As such, CCW-ers may find themselves either going through a similar trial and error process with their belt or just dealing with those issues – which can lead to giving up on carrying a gun. I personally went from using a standard web belt to a Dickies work belt, which I used for ages, using “fashion belts” for dressier work and toying with the idea of springing for a spendy double-thick gun belt before finally finding Bigfoot Gun Belts. Continue reading →

New Steel-Core Leather CCW Belts From Under the Same Umbrella as Popular Holsters

Bigfoot Gun Belts, a breakthrough company that specializes in making the world’s strongest and most reliable gun belts, is proud to release their highly anticipated Untamed Series to the open and concealed carry world. These premium leather gun belts exude quality and comfort, while providing superior support to your everyday IWB and OWB carry.

Never deal with a sagging holster ever again!

Bigfoot Gun Belts are made with a double layering of English Bridle leather, which is cut to order by a handful of skilled gun belt craftsmen. This drum dyed leather, available in traditional black or rich brown, has been chosen for its legendary strength and long lifetime.

To provide even more strength to this beast of a gun belt, craftsmen at Bigfoot Gun Belts have embedded a spring steel core between the two layers of rich leather. The steel core, available in both the 14-ounce and 18-ounce leather belts, provides handgun owners with a strength rarely seen before (perhaps only from a distance with a shaky camera).

Each of our gun belts go through a Triple Edge Finishing process, which includes a bevel, burnish, and paint done by the industries finest gun belt makers. This creates a smooth and uniform finish and also provides protection to the edges of your gun belt.

To match the strength and quality of the hand cut leather, Bigfoot Gun Belts are made with corrosion resistant hardware that will stand up to the harsh elements. The nickel-plated roller buckle will also allow the belt to effortlessly ‘roll’ through your buckle without damaging the leather, while the snaps provide you with an easy way to swap out your belt buckle within seconds.

Every Bigfoot Gun Belt is backed by our 7-Day Test Drive and Legendary Warranty. This provides you with a chance to test it out with your CCW for a full week with absolutely no risk. If you’re not fully satisfied by this beast of a belt, send it back for a full refund.

Have you ever heard that question? If you have heard it once, you have probably heard it numerous times. You take a firearm with you when you go out to the movies, mall, or church or when you take the dog for an evening walk. You must be afraid of something. Right?

This is the mentality of many people and it’s an odd one. How does someone come to be in such a condition where the first explanation they jump to is fear? One possibility is that they are so afraid of everyday life that they project that same fear onto others. Wearing a seat belt clearly indicates terror at the prospect of being in a motor vehicle. Safety glasses when using power tools? What are ya, a sissy? And just think of all those millions of young ladies living in perpetual fear as they lug around a can of pepper spray on their keychain. Own a flashlight? Ha! Most people stopped being afraid of the dark at a pretty young age. This type must buy Depends by the truckload.

How does having the tools to protect oneself, one’s family, or those around them equate to cowardice? When a hatchet wielding schizophrenic starts trying to dice up the crowd in your theater, bravery must be to hide in the corner and hope his arm gets tired before he chops his way to your child. When an armed madman starts murdering mall shoppers or movie goers, what is bravery? In their mind it must be to run away from the sounds of violence and hope that someone else who thought to bring a gun shows up to stop the attacker before the body count gets too high. These people are a bad joke. Continue reading →